10 questions for Jeroen Werdmölder

‘Our sector will improve if we share knowledge’

A hotelier with international experience, a keen eye and a remarkably warm management style. Someone who learned the trade from the dishwashing kitchen to the top, and always put people first. His energy is infectious, his standards are high. Time to get to know Jeroen Werdmölder better through ten questions.

Name: Jeroen Werdmölder
Age: 45
Residence: Amsterdam
Study: Stenden University, Hotel School Leeuwarden
Current position: General Manager
Hotel(s): Waldorf Astoria New York, The Plaza Hotel New York, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, The Inn at Perry Cabin, Mandarin Oriental New York, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Number of years in the industry: 25+

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up in the hotel industry?

“I knew early on that I wanted to work in the hotel industry. At fourteen, I started as a dishwasher in a local restaurant, inspired by my mother, who lived and breathed hospitality. That sense of care and quality has always stayed with me. At seventeen, I started at the hotel school in Leeuwarden. The real acceleration came when I did an internship at the Waldorf Astoria New York at the age of twenty. I ended up working there for six years, where I learned service, discipline and detail to the core. That formed the basis of 25 years of international, luxury hospitality, during which I had the opportunity to work at several award-winning properties, among other things.”

What exactly do you do in your current role? What are your main daily tasks?

“As General Manager of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, I focus on three pillars: providing direction, monitoring quality and building a culture in which teams can excel. I manage the leadership team, monitor operational and financial results and ensure that service, strategy and culture are seamlessly aligned.”

What characterises you as an entrepreneur or hotelier?

“Curiosity, discipline and a strong hands-on mentality. I work in a structured way, but give people room to take responsibility and learn from their mistakes. My style combines American ambition and empowerment with Dutch sincerity: high standards without scripts or artificiality.”

What developments in the hotel industry have caught your attention? What inspires you, or what concerns you?

“I see a strong movement towards more personal, authentic hospitality. That is inspiring, because real experiences arise from human interaction. What concerns me is talent retention. The sector is competitive, but career opportunities and appreciation are lagging behind in the Netherlands. That puts pressure on quality and continuity.”

Where do you think the sector is still missing opportunities?

“The greatest opportunity lies in positioning hospitality as a fully-fledged career. Front office, service, and housekeeping deserve more recognition and better career paths. In addition, hotels can become stronger through more consistency in service, more cross-training, and more leadership at every level.”

How do you view collaboration with other entrepreneurs or hoteliers?

“Collaboration is essential. The sector will improve if we share knowledge and tackle common challenges. Innovation rarely occurs in isolation; it arises from cross-pollination between companies, teams, and cultures.”

What are the biggest challenges for you or your hotels at the moment?

“Expectations are extremely high: from guests, from Hilton and from the Waldorf Astoria brand. The challenge lies in delivering excellence every single day. In addition, talent development remains crucial: teams must grow, be allowed to make mistakes and dare to take responsibility.”

How do you ensure that you and your organisation continue to grow?

“By constantly questioning the status quo. I invest in training, coaching and a culture in which employees feel heard. I continue to learn by observing, listening and actively seeking out international perspectives.”

What gives you the most energy in your work?

“The moments when teams achieve something extraordinary together. Not the big events, but the genuine reactions of guests. That is the essence of hospitality. And, of course, international recognition. We are the only Forbes 5 Star hotel in the Netherlands, a rating that has been the standard for luxury hospitality for decades. We have also just been informed that we have been included in Forbes Travel Guide's highly exclusive Hotel Icons list of the world's most legendary five-star hotels.”

Where do you hope to be in five years, both professionally and personally?

“Professionally, I want to continue contributing to the luxury hotel industry with a focus on leadership and culture. Personally, I strive for the same balance I have now: working internationally with a strong foundation at home. Ultimately, success is about people, not titles. But first, I want to enjoy working in one of the best hotels in the Netherlands and Europe and all the wonderful things Amsterdam and the Netherlands have to offer!”